Petition request
That the House of Representatives ask the Government to take urgent action to clear the Skilled Migrant Category application backlog, and urge Immigration NZ to remove section A16.1(a)(i) from its operational manual and return to processing applications on a “first in, first out”’ basis in a queue ordered by lodgement date.
Petition reason
I am one of the migrants in the non-priority SMC queue who have brought skills and knowledge that New Zealand needed, as per the objectives of the SMC & Residence from Work programme, and who were invited by Immigration NZ to apply for Resident category visas. In the past 12 months the waiting time for allocation of a Residence application to an Immigration Officer has grown from 6 months to the current 18+ months, which is taking an immense mental and financial toll on us and our families.
Related
Petition progress
- Open for signatures
- Closed for signatures
- Select Committee
- Reported
- Referred to Minister
| Number of signatures: | 4143 |
|---|---|
| Date presented: | 20 Jul 2020 |
| Considered by: | Petitions |
| SC Report(s): | 07 May 2021 (Interim) |
| 09 Aug 2021 (Final) | |
| Presenting member: | Hon Melissa Lee |
| Closing date: | 19 Jul 2020 |